Note for non-Australian visitors

In Australia "Liberal" is Right-Wing Neo-Cons; economically liberal, socially repressive, tax the poor to subsidise the rich. Republican is also a good thing, as opposed to being a lackey of the British monarchy.

Posts tagged ‘ABC’

Is it no surprise that Latika Bourkes’ nickname is LIBtika. Harsh or not depends on your perspective.

Imagine the dynamics within caucus if Julia Gillard hasn’t flushed out Kevin Rudd in March (and then carpet bombed him c/o Roxon+Swan et al)

And there we have it, ABC’s raison d’être, it is all about the dynamics, carpet-bombing, fireworks – the media is pushing leadership challenges because it gives lazy political journalists something to do. Speculation and opinion have replaced research and facts.

At least, it wasn’t Tony Abbott says

They rewrite history, and there is no one to stop them. Apparently Stalin was pretty good at rewriting history, to remove enemies or add himself. Maybe that is what critics mean by ABC has a left-wing bias, the Stalinisation of the news.

Did I just hear ABC news refer to @PeterSlipperMP as a ‘Labor MP’?

Did they? Who knows, probably, that kind of fact-checking is beyond the reach of most ABC reporters these days.
By the way, ABC, Slipper is NOT a Labor MP, no matter how hard you hope and wish it to be so.

These people are playing games with our future – because when you have a 24-hour news cycle something has to fill the airwaves.

When they don’t have actual news to report, or rumours to speculate on, or opinions to bore us to death with, they just simple sit around talking to each other.

There you have it, ABC, you are not groovy. A sentiment that many former ABC viewers would whole-heartedly agree with.

But have no fear, all that left-wing bias is more than balanced by the Murdoch media.

The Daily Telegraph’s an unapologetic liar that creates ‘news’ yet we allow it to try manipulate regime change by publication? #auspol

Murdoch, and his near saturation levels of ownership, does not seem to affect politics any, because if there is one that Murdoch media is, it’s fair and balance. You will only get truth, justice and the American way if you read one his publications.

All this surveying people about trusting leaders, how about asking about trusting media commentary, so-called analysis & “reporting”

Many people don’t know their local politicians any more, so they only way they know them or their parties is through the media. When all the media in this country is pushing a Liberal-party, Election-now, Abbott-for-PM agenda, it is presenting a distorted view of reality. Of course, right-wing voters are happy with that distortion, it reflects their biases, makes them feel comfortable that they are right, but it is not a healthy democracy.

A series of coordinated attacks were launched across Kabul, Afghanistan.‘A Taliban spokesman said fighters were attacking embassies in the diplomatic enclave, Nato’s HQ and the parliament building in the west of the capital’ (BBC news Asia)

From the network that wants to be Number 1 in news is this gem:text of image: @channel9: One Direction is in the house! #Logies

text of image: @boredjessica: So @theage has a live blog of the #Logies but nothing on their front page on what’s happening in Kabul. Great priorities guys.

text of image: @SummersAnne: So no #abcnews24 coverage of what’s happening in Kabul @abcmarkscott where do we go to find out abt carnage?

text of image: @hailants: If you don’t follow her, you hate freedom. RT @JLLLOW: Follow @Asher_Wolf for sterling coverage of current Taliban offensive in #Afghanistan

We don’t follow her on Twitter, but she doesn’t follow us. I guess she loves freedom more than we do. Oops.

Oh, and one more thing, someone in Melbourne Australia is not bring you coverage of Kabul, they are tweeting and retweeting.

Is it time to get the Australian troops and other personnel out of Afghanistan?
Can we hear what Tony Abbott says?

ABC’s Qanda was a two-sided debate between Richard Dawkins atheist and Cardinal Pell, Tony Abbotts advisor, these were the twitter highlights for those who couldn’t watch the show… or a flashback for those who did.

Craig Reucassel: of The Chaser
Pell: God chose the Jews because they were dumber than the Egyptians. Wow, don’t remember that from scripture. #qanda

Doubt and Controversy, these are words climate change deniers will use to get you to question the facts about climate change when spoken by climate scientists.

In this country – where the media is overwhelmingly dominated by one man (or his various corporations) – climate change tends to be framed in terms of climate change debate.

Apparently the jury is still out, weighing up the evidence, throwing a few ideas around and rewarding those with the most convincing argument and spin, instead of those with facts and truth on their side.

So let us all talk about this some more until we reach a conclusion – that kind of debate.

Everyone has an opinion, and believe that entitles them to have an equal say in the climate change debate, as much as climate scientists, who spent years studying these things.

Listen to climate change deniers – how often is their debating filled with vague statements, such as I feel, I believe, I heard. Read the Murdoch media, and they fill their articles with anything but science, instead they will focus on how the average Joe, Jane or Tarek feel they will be affected by climate change.

Or, we could ignore a newspaper who just wants to sell readership numbers to advertisers, and instead we could listen to a climate scientist, they will say We know, we have the research, we have studied.

By describing the rejection of climate science as debate, deniers are throwing doubt on years of science.

Murdoch’s media says NO climate change, Scientists say YES climate change, and now we have controversy, and any scientist who disagrees is being controversial.

Maybe Murdoch media will present a scientists views – without specifying what type of science they study. Science is a broad church, full of various disciplines, not all of them study climate change. Then suddenly the meme is that scientists themselves are unsure about the validity of climate change.

Murdoch’s media will then run a few articles that disagree with scientists or people whining that the cost of running their air-con in their McMansions will be more expensive, and suddenly we have a a debate, or a controversy – two sides that disagree.

The ABC will then run anti-climate change stories, all in the name of balance, it’s about having all viewpoints represented, having all sides of the debate given serious air-time.

text of tweet: ABC Radio Melbourne @774melbourne
Talking #finance with @[———] – is a holiday house a good investment? Call 1300 222 774 to ask a question.

The only person to actually like that tweet, was the sponsor herself.

How is this not a massive breach of the standards that say no advertising – or has Mark Scott rewritten the standards? Why are they giving huge advertising on the public broadcaster to a private company? What is the connection between this company and the staff at 774Melbourne?

text of tweet:
Gettin’ It On! @TKYC
RT @774melbourne: Talking #finance with @WakelinProperty <- surely a form of advertising, both the interview & the tweet handle in your feed

text of tweet
Stephen Downes @downesy
When the ABC names (and “plugs”) contributors like @WakelinProperty but won’t say “Etihad Stadium”, it’s a form of censorship @ABCMarkScott

text by @redglitterx
additional text owned by the tweeters of the tweets, and use of their comments is in no way intended to imply they would in any way endorse the contents of this post or blog

And so far, those dismissive of climate change are out in front – by a long way. 80% when I voted. (68% dismissive + 12% doubtful)

What a complete farce – of course the climate change deniers will vote en masse to skewer the results, unless that was the objective, was it?

Which is interesting because I don’t remember surveys being done to get peoples opinions on any other science, such as physics, botany, geology, mathematics.

Although I am sure it is only a matter of time before we start canvassing whether the earth is flat or should creationism (intelligent design) be taught in science classes.

When did this scepticism about science take hold in the public debate in Australia. It’s not philosophy, it is not something where everyone’s opinion is entitled to equal air time on the national broadcaster.

Nor, is this 70s style conciousness raising where I feel becomes more important than I know especially when said by someone who has spend a career studying issues as compared to, say, an office worker, or banker, or a Cardinal, who think their opinion should hold as much weight as climate scientists.

This is climate scepticism on par with Murdoch’s News Limited. But there is a difference between News Ltd and the ABC, News Ltd are trying to make a profit, promote the agenda of their own, sell advertising space, create fear, and keep the people voting Tory. As much as we might not like it, News Ltd have a duty to maximise profits for shareholders, not save the planet. And if for some reason, action on climate change became profitable for Murdoch, then News Ltd may probably start getting alarmist over lack of action.

But from the ABC, what is their agenda? This is beyond mere scepticism, this is heading into rabid climate change denial territory.

This is not balance, this is agenda setting. It is no longer objectively reporting news, ABC are actively trying to change opinions and beliefs.

Can we now finally stop the myth that the ABC has a left-wing bias?

disclaimer: the number 99/100 used in this image is not based on any real information, but I feel it to be true, it is my opinion

image by @redglitterx
text by @redglitterx
references to ABC, News Ltd, Rupert Murdoch, and Climate Scientists are in no way intended to imply that they would in anyway endorse the contents of this blog, but I don’t know, I haven’t asked them

Managing editor David Donovan completes the final part of this research into ABC Q&A programme by looking at the way it is emblematic of the ABC as a whole, in the way it creates false debate on non-controversial issues, while stifling debate about issues that are truly important.

text of tweet from @benelthamNotice the IPA has had a go at Flannery’s “taxpayer-funded” salary. When will the IPA renounce its own tax deductible status?

text of reply from @senatormilne – Christine Milne (Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Senator for Tasmania)When will the IPA be upfront about which companies and individuals fund it?

But the question must be asked: Since the IPA benefits from public funding, surely they should be left to the mercy of the free market? After all, accepting government handouts would be socialism.

text by @redglitterx
additional text by @GrogsGamut, @beneltham, @senatormilne, @lynlinking
I suspect that the image of the fox/abc logo will be removed soon for infringement of copyright or trademark logo, if you like it, and want to keep it, take it

The original picture is so large you would have to scroll to see it all. Looking more like the Boss, or a Totalitarian dictator in pre-World War Two Germany or a South American fascist celebrating a military coup.

Australians on social media right across the country have noticed the lurch to the Right, so much so that New Limited looks almost Green these days in comparison.

We can no longer make jokes about Old Aunty selling herself to the highest bidder, the over-reliance of the IPA and former senior members of the Howard Government as commentators, The Opposition Says can no longer be the default way of starting every news story.

What the… No words…

Sorry, I need a cup tea, and watch a murder mystery in a quaint English village populated entirely by beige-people to get over the shock (perhaps horror!) of this.

text by @redglitterx
quote and image by ABC is in no way intended to suggest that ABC in any way endorses the contents of this post or this blog, I suspect that they would not

Rob Borbidge served as the 35th Premier of Queensland and leader National Party. His premiership lasted from 20 February 1996 – 26 June 1998.

So for the numerically challenged in the ABC – if you take away 1998 (when a National last led government) from 2012 (the year we are currently in) you are left with 14. That is, it has been only 14 years since Labor were in Opposition, not 20 years, not 23 years.

Why does the ABC Brisbane have such trouble counting beyond 10? Their number doesn’t even match with the Liberal Nationals estimate of 20 years they claim Labor have been in power, which is what the LNP are running in their political ads.

The ABC, it seems, is giving an uncritical soapbox to faux environmental lobby groups, funded by climate change sceptics, that are nothing more than a front for the IPA.

The publicly-funded organisation is giving, not only free advertising to a lobby group, but are championing the work of climate change deniers.

The 15-minutes of Media Watch, highlights the complete laziness of Australian media, including Your ABC to take press releases at face value, rather than investigating the contents of those press release, they are not even investigating beyond the name of the group putting out the press releases.

The comments on the transcript page show that Australia has collectively lost its sanity.